Advocate staff photo by MATTHEW HINTON--The Andrew Jackson Statue in Jackson Square in the French Quarter is seen in in New Orleans, La. Thursday, March 31, 2016 with the phrase "The Union Must and Shall Be Preserved."

Advocate staff photo by MATTHEW HINTON--The Andrew Jackson Statue in Jackson Square in the French Quarter is seen in in New Orleans, La. Thursday, March 31, 2016 with the phrase "The Union Must and Shall Be Preserved."

WASHINGTON (AP) — A Treasury official says Secretary Jacob Lew has decided to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill, making her the first woman on U.S. paper currency in 100 years.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in advance of Lew’s official announcement, says that the 19th century abolitionist and leader of the Underground Railroad, would replace the portrait of Andrew Jackson, the nation’s seventh president.

An iconic statue of Jackson on horseback forms the centerpiece of Jackson Square in New Orleans, a tribute to Jackson’s military leadership in decisively defeating the British during the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. That victory affirmed America’s stature as an emerging world power and helped propel Jackson to the White House.

The announcement is expected to provide details on other changes being made to the $20, $10 and $5 bills.

The decision to place Tubman’s portrait on the $20 likely means that Lew has decided to keep Alexander Hamilton on the $10 bill, a victory for those who had opposed his initial plan to remove Hamilton.